think

¹

[ thingk ]

verb (used without object)

, thought, think·ing.

1. to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.
2. to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation:

   Think carefully before you begin.

3. to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts:

   I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.

4. to call something to one's conscious mind:

   I couldn't think of his phone number.

5. to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.:

   She thought about cutting her hair.

6. to invent or conceive of something:

   We thought of a new plan.

7. to have consideration or regard for someone:

   Think of others first.

8. to esteem a person or thing as indicated:

   to think badly of someone.

9. to have a belief or opinion as indicated:

   I think so.

10. (of a device or machine, especially a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought.

verb (used with object)

, thought, think·ing.

1. to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.
2. to have or form in the mind in order to understand, know, or remember something else:

   Romantic comedy is all about chemistry: think Tracy and Hepburn. Can't guess? Here's a hint: think 19th century.

3. to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon:

   Think the deal over.

4. to regard as specified:

   He thought me unkind.

5. to believe to be true of someone or something:

   to think evil of the neighbors.

6. to analyze or evolve rationally:

   to think the problem out.

7. to have as a plan or intention:

   I thought that I would go.

8. to anticipate or expect:

   I did not think to find you here.

adjective

1. of or relating to thinking or thought.
2. Informal. stimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind: Compare think piece.

   the think book of the year.

noun

1. Informal. the act or a period of thinking:

   I want to sit down and give it a good think.

verb phrase

1. 1. to conceive of; imagine.
   2. to have an opinion or judgment of.
   3. to consider; anticipate:

      When one thinks of what the future may bring, one is both worried and hopeful.

2. 1. to think about until a conclusion is reached; understand or solve by thinking.
   2. to devise by thinking; contrive:

      He thought out a plan for saving time.

3. to devise or contrive by thinking:

   Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

think

²

[ thingk ]

verb (used without object)

, Obsolete.

, thought, think·ing.

1. to seem or appear (usually used impersonally with a dative as the subject).

think

/ θɪŋk /

verb

1. tr; may take a clause as object to consider, judge, or believe

   he thinks my ideas impractical

2. introften foll byabout to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder
3. intr to be capable of conscious thought

   man is the only animal that thinks

4. to remember; recollect

   I can't think what his name is

5. intrfoll byof to make the mental choice (of)

   think of a number

6. may take a clause as object or an infinitive
   1. to expect; suppose

      I didn't think to see you here

   2. to be considerate or aware enough (to do something)

      he did not think to thank them

7. intrfoll byof to consider; regard

   she thinks of herself as a poet

8. intr to focus the attention on being

   think thin

   think big

9. tr to bring into or out of a specified condition by thinking

   to think away one's fears

10. I don't think slang.
    a phrase added to an ironical statement

    you're the paragon of virtue, I don't think

11. think again
    to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc
12. think better of
    1. to change one's mind about (a course of action, decision, etc)
    2. to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)
13. think much of
    usually negative to have a high opinion of
14. think nothing of
    1. to regard as routine, easy, or natural
    2. to have no compunction or hesitation about
    3. to have a very low opinion of
15. think twice
    to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

noun

1. informal.
   a careful, open-minded assessment

   let's have a fresh think about this problem

2. informal.
   modifier characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought

   a think session

3. you've got another think coming slang.
   you are mistaken and will soon have to alter your opinion

Derived Forms

• ˈthinker, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of think¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to Latin tongēre “to know” and thank

Origin of think²

First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken “to present the appearance of, seem,” Old English thyncan “to seem”; cognate with Dutch dunken, German dünken, Old Norse thykkja, Gothic thugkjan

Word History and Origins

Origin of think¹

Old English thencan; related to Old Frisian thenza, Old Saxon thenkian, Old High German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. think better of, to change one's mind about; reconsider:

   She considered emigrating to Australia, but thought better of it.

2. think fit, to consider advisable or appropriate:

   By all means, take a vacation if you think fit.

3. think twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider:

   I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.

4. think nothing of. nothing ( def 19 ).

More idioms and phrases containing think

• come to think of it
• have another guess (think) coming
• hear oneself think
• not think much of
• put on one's thinking cap
• wishful thinking
• thought

Example Sentences

“All those tiny miniatures that fit on the head of a needle — I think it’s so beautiful,” he says in a Zoom call from his place in Malibu.

From Los Angeles Times

This time, he’s saying with his early picks, there will be no one second guessing the leader or, in the words of his son, thinking they “know better” than a man with the nuclear codes.

From Salon

Wales' first minister has said she does not think the incoming US president Donald Trump is racist.

From BBC

“When you think about markets and where we want to be sure that we have IndyCar long term, this is a place we want to invest in for sure.”

From Los Angeles Times

I think it’s going to be hard for me to play.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assume
• consider
• determine
• expect
• feel
• guess
• judge
• realize
• see
• take
• understand